Devin Taylor is a prospect I don't see mentioned much in this forum. I want to get some opinions on how he grades out as an NFL prospect. He definitely has the physical skill set at around 6'-7", 260 lbs. and figures to have impressive offseason workouts that NFL teams like to see. With this upcoming draft potentially being very good at the 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB positions (depending on the underclassmen that end up declaring), could Taylor slide some come draft day?

Is Taylor a bit obscured by the surrounding talent (Clowney and Ingram) or possibly a product of the talent around him? Do you see him as possibly a Michael Johnson (former Georgia Tech defensive end) type of talent - a physically impressive prospect that just doesn't seem to be able to make an impact to the level expected?

I know I'm in the minority here but he looked the best of any of the SC D-Linemen to me last season. That said, I don't know how he'll translate to the next level. Clowney obviously has more upside and as he develops he should be the best out of the recent SC D-Linemen, but Taylor is no slouch.

He might get lost in a tweener role in the NFL though..._________________

I have liked him for two years now.
Like the OP said, I just don't know where he fits...a while back he looked like he was heading for a Mario Williams ceiling that can play both rush end and linebacker...now he can still play both, I just don't know if he can reach that ceiling.

I think with his athleticism and ability ceiling of end of round one...but could fall to the 4th-5th due to the volume of rushers coming out._________________

I know I'm in the minority here but he looked the best of any of the SC D-Linemen to me last season. That said, I don't know how he'll translate to the next level. Clowney obviously has more upside and as he develops he should be the best out of the recent SC D-Linemen, but Taylor is no slouch.

He might get lost in a tweener role in the NFL though...

I am wondering if Taylor could be a "surprise" first round pick (in the lower part of the first round) even if underclassmen like Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montegomery, and Jarvis Jones declare? It seems like he could be in the second-tier along with prospects like Alex Okafor, Dion Jordan and Cornelius Carradine (if he can take the next step) that could sneak into the back end of the first round.

I could see teams likely to be in the lower portion of the first round like the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions atleast considering the defensive end position (obviously depending on free agency acquisitions/losses).

Edit : The other interesting team would have to be the Atlanta Falcons. I have read they have supposedly used a "base" 4-3 with 3-4 looks so far this preseason, but it wouldn't shock me if the Falcons strongly considered a pass rusher that could play at either 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB (Okafor, Jordan, and to a lesser extent Taylor?).

I don't know what to make of Devin. He doesn't seem as active as he should be at times and tends to disappear as a pass rush. I think he's very underdeveloped in terms of using his arms, hands and pass rush moves._________________

KingBishop wrote:

JammerHammer21 wrote:

Jarvis looked like a slug on and off the field.

Off the field? Like when he is grocery shopping, does he block the freezer aisle with his sluggish selection of which hungry man to buy?

I don't know what to make of Devin. He doesn't seem as active as he should be at times and tends to disappear as a pass rush. I think he's very underdeveloped in terms of using his arms, hands and pass rush moves.

I was watching some videos of him (which admittedly gives a limited perspective) and what jumped out at me (and I wanted to get some other opinions on this) is that Taylor seems to be consistently late coming out of his stance at the snap of the ball. And when he is in motion he seems rather slow in his motions, almost deliberate. Now maybe he is asked to handle more read-and-react assignments, but he just doesn't seem to be very explosive at the snap and doesn't seem to be very "violent" or quick in his motions when engaged with a blocker or moving towards the quarterback._________________

I don't know what to make of Devin. He doesn't seem as active as he should be at times and tends to disappear as a pass rush. I think he's very underdeveloped in terms of using his arms, hands and pass rush moves.

I was watching some videos of him (which admittedly gives a limited perspective) and what jumped out at me (and I wanted to get some other opinions on this) is that Taylor seems to be consistently late coming out of his stance at the snap of the ball. And when he is in motion he seems rather slow in his motions, almost deliberate. Now maybe he is asked to handle more read-and-react assignments, but he just doesn't seem to be very explosive at the snap and doesn't seem to be very "violent" or quick in his motions when engaged with a blocker or moving towards the quarterback.

I would agree with you. I think his best shot is bulking up and becoming a 5-tech. He understands gap responsibility well, he's a hustle player, he's smart on the field and for a big guy, he holds his ground well and does a better job of getting low than you'd expect from a huge guy. But as a pass rusher, he just doesn't look that skilled.

If you get him in a NFL S&C program and get him up to 295 or 300, I think he could be good in a 3-4 defense. Not Calais Campbell but still a solid to good all around DE.

But we'll see what he does this year. If he could show better burst off the ball and flexibility on the edge or power and violence, I'd bump him up a lot in the rankings._________________

KingBishop wrote:

JammerHammer21 wrote:

Jarvis looked like a slug on and off the field.

Off the field? Like when he is grocery shopping, does he block the freezer aisle with his sluggish selection of which hungry man to buy?

You make some really good videos, keep up the good work!_________________
"Strength is meaningless in o-line play if there is no explosive, or speed-strength, quality to the strength."
- LeCharles Bentley

I have liked him for two years now.
Like the OP said, I just don't know where he fits...a while back he looked like he was heading for a Mario Williams ceiling that can play both rush end and linebacker...now he can still play both, I just don't know if he can reach that ceiling.

I think with his athleticism and ability ceiling of end of round one...but could fall to the 4th-5th due to the volume of rushers coming out.

I know alot of guys at one position will bump him down potentially, but teams always need more guys rushing the passer, cant see him falling that far due to it_________________

Seems to have a really inconsistent motor. The guy looks like he could be a dominant player, but just hasn't put it all together yet. Awesome project to work with though I will say. He plays the run with pretty good awareness and actually strikes me to be a smarter player than he was last season. If the draft was today, I would probably use a mid-2nd round pick on him._________________